Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 11, 2018

Saint Clare of Assisi, Pray for Us!

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church 1411 Cross Street

O’Fallon, IL 62269 618/ 632-3562

www.stclarechurch.org

Fr. Jim Deiters Pastor Dennis Vander Ven Deacon Marcia Fix Parish Secretary Jamae Shubirg Administrative Assistant Ed Seipp Business Manager Patrick Jurgensmeyer Facilities Manager Stephen Eros Music and Liturgy Director Jane Dotson Family Faith Formation Matt Flynn Adult Faith and Mission

ST. CLARE SCHOOL 632-6327

214 West Third Street, O’Fallon, IL Clarice McKay Principal

MT. CALVARY CEMETERY 632-3562

Paulo D’Amico

PARISH TRUSTEES

Michael Crupe

John Dempsey

ST. VINCENT DEPAUL 632-4270

Emergency Assistance

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

BAPTISM—Preparation classes for parents are offered every other month for infant baptism. Call the Parish Office to sign up. Adults wishing to be baptized should also call the Office.

RECONCILIATION—Saturdays 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Community celebrations are also offered every Advent and Lent.

MATRIMONY—Contact Pastor a year prior.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK—Communal celebrations twice a year, or by appointment.

We, the people of St. Clare Catholic Parish, In the Diocese of Belleville, are called by God

in baptism to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Centered in the Eucharist, and strengthened

by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we strive to live the Gospel and further the reign of God.

We do this by creating a vibrant faith community, by actively promoting justice and evangelization, and by using our gifts in the service of God’s people, to give God

glory and reverence all of Creation.

Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton Bishop of Belleville

From Our Pastor...

February 10 Leslie Goldberg Theresa Bevers Joe Seiffert Kim Sabella DeAnn Siville Kristin Jordan Nathaniel Myers Courtney Jordan Matthew Turner Mandee Fischer

February 11 Bob Picchietti John Bagnarelli Carolyn Gass Michelle Strake Marley Watkins Alana Domina Ryan McCarty Stevan Feger Nathan Smith David Scales Damian Jansen Charlotte Kauth

February 12 Jacqueline Matt Mary Zeisset Becky Lamontagne Daniel O’Keefe Christopher Smith Maiya Leisure Kieran Smith Michael Mays

May 13 Dave Rice Tom Fitzgerald Chris Sill Brian Blazier Brandon Rotz

February 13 (cont) Andrea Wieman Shiann Hobbs Michael Alblinger II

February 14 Patricia Wilcox Joline Williams Karen Jalbert Jim Compton George Huelsmann Jack McDonald Talina Espinoza

February 15 Mary Lou Pawlow Isela Flores Bethany Kazmierczak Lindy Grandame Dena Santoro Sarah Dunker Abe Kniepkamp

February 16 Joe Knickmeyer Patricia Cummings Gina Boente Katie Terrell Blake Heimann Shana Borgren Clarence LeChien

February 17 Mary Morski Thomas Jozwiak James Taylor

February 18 Max Schueer Jim Hendricks Segundo Nacar Destin Reid Anna Wagner Vincent Bialick

Gratitude and Hope

Our friend and author Matthew Kelly often reminds us of this im-portant thought: “God always dreams our future to be better and bigger than our past.” This is based on the vir tue of HOPE, real-ly trusting that God will provide and care for us, deeper than the challenges of the present moment.

For those of us who are making a Stewardship Tithing commitment to God this week, we are placing our hope and trust in God! Giving generously back to God is a true testament of gratitude, recognizing that all we have is actually a gift from God to be used wisely.

As we begin the holy season of Lent on Wednesday this week, remember a few things:

♦ In choosing what to ‘give up’ for Lent, consider those things that would make you a more loving, caring, generous person toward others. We ‘give up’ things that are keeping us from liv-ing more like Jesus.

♦ Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting (only one main meal with no snacks between) and abstinence (no meat). The other Fridays of Lent require abstinence but you can choose to fast as well.

♦ Stations of the Cross are on Friday nights at 6:00 PM Remember to bring your children to learn this great devotion. You can also pray the Stations at other times on your own by using the App “Laudate” on your phone.

God’s Peace to you, Fr. Jim Deiters

Dear People of God, ICHTHUS is the Greek word for “Fish”.

Jesus tells us to, “Come follow Me. And I will make you fishers of men!”

We often see a fish in Christian art. During Lent many parishes enjoy a “fish fry”. In the early Church, this word was used as a “symbol”, an acronym, a word formed from the first letter of several words. ICHTHUS stands for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior”. This has often been expressed as, “Jesus Christ is the Son of God our Savior”. Thus, with this simple image, or drawing, Christians could profess their faith in times of persecution. • I = Jesous = Jesus • Ch = Khristos = Christ • Th = Theou = God’s • U = Huios = Son • S = Soter = Savior The sign of the fish in early times was used by Christians as a secret symbol that all who believed that Jesus was the Christ would recognize, whether scratched on walls, rocks or sand. So, as a Catholic, you can express the heart of our faith throughout your day by simply praying with one word ICHTHUS, or FISH. May each of you and your families have a grace-filled Lent to prepare you for the celebration of the mys-tery of the Resurrection. Most Reverend K. Braxton, Bishop of Belleville

A Lent to Remember A Lenten Encounter with Mercy

A Lent to Remember is a beautiful presentation of the transforming power of mercy in the Sacrament

of Confession, using the Augustine Institute produc-tions Symbolon and Forgiven. No matter what you have done or how long you have been away, Jesus

is waiting for you with open arms this Lent!

FORMED PICK OF THE WEEK

Watch on formed.org

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, February 10 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00 p.m. Ed, Idamay and Margie Pfeiffer

Sunday, February 11 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30 a.m. Viola Huller Brian Hendricks 10:30 a.m. James Mannix Mary Sue DeGonia Monday, February 12 Weekday 12:00 p.m. Pat Vollmer

Tuesday, February 13 Weekday 7:30 a.m. Mass of Thanksgiving 8:30 a.m. Mass in the School Chapel Ash Wednesday, February 14 7:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word with Ashes 8:30 a.m. All School Word Service in Gym 12:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Word with Ashes 7:00 p.m. Mass with Ashes Thursday, February 15 No Mass Thursday after Ash Wednesday Friday, February 16 Friday after Ash Wednesday 7:30 a.m. Special Intention 6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Saturday, February 17 First Sunday of Lent 5:00 p.m. Aileen Kozsdiy and Gerold Blum

Sunday, February 18 First Sunday of Lent 8:30 a.m. Norman Wright, Marcel & Viola Huller Ray Haselhorst 10:30 a.m. Elmer Burrger Vernon Kombrink

Next Weekend: February 17/18 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Saturday 5:00 Jim & Barbara Calandro, Dennis Holdener, Carl Lurk Stephanie Chambers, Tom Grimmig, Barb Kenney Brian Kloustermeyer, Kevin Mulheran, Len Ratajczyk Tom & Mary Lou Pawlow, Shirley Suski

Sunday 8:30 Richard Ransom, Tina Whitlow, Susan & Sophie Wilkerson Bob & Michelle Crain, Kathy DeVan, John Gomez Aimee Nieroda, Linda Rademacher, Sara Wise Lonny & Denise Roberts

Sunday 10:30 Jett Cates, Ann Hug, Patty Klingelhoefer, Ed Lorden Lea Bautz, Ksana Bialick, Mary Anne Burroughs Karen Holzum, Ray Matherne, Laura Polillo Dominic & Rena Sabatino, Betsy Weinel Readers Saturday 5:00 Stacey Cutter & Jamie Eros Sunday 8:30 Kristine Blair & Katie Szwedo 10:30 Jennifer Matherne & Noelle Matherne

Servers Saturday 5:00 Will Theismann, Kyle & Josh Zimmerman 8:30 Isaac Hubbard, Javier Favela, Jordan Nguyen 10:30 Robbie Greene, Connor Chapple, Allison LaSalvia Ushers Saturday 5:00 Matt Chambers, Ricardo Cumba, Walter O’Dell Allen Raber, Paulette Roberg, Scott Voss Sunday 8:30 Gary Borges, Gary Haselhorst, Pat Jurgensmeyer Robert Kirchgessner, Frank Morski, Bob Picchietti Sunday 10:30 Chris Bautz, Gustavo Cotto, Carlos Mariles Debbie Oitker, Ron Polillo, Mark Stevens Gift Bearers Saturday 5:00 Brad & Ashley Kloustermeyer, Anthony & Dominic Fedrico Sunday 8:30 Ryan, Alicia, Madison, Brady & Logan Luechtefeld 10:30 Patrick, Danette, Joseph, William & Lydia Kinsella

Greeters Saturday 5:00 Doug, Vicki, Anna, Elyse & Nicholas Flath, Vivianne Herich Carol Parker, Pat Reeser 8:30 Judy Lemansky, Jason, Colleen, Cameron, Dillon & Calista Pavelschak, Barry, Kim, Averie, Blaine & Elliott Stolle 10:30 Sharon, Garrett & Braden Busch, Su Holmes, Tom Knaust Ed Lorden, Elizabeth Reichenbach Wade, Betsey, Clair & Wes Weinel Sound Board Saturday 5:00 Sunday 8:30 Peter Timpson 10:30 Gary Goldberg

Bread Bakers Sherry D’Amico, Betsy McCarty, Dave Pierson

Children’s Word Saturday 5:00 Lucy Ueda & Sophia Cherry Sunday 8:30 Megan Blair & Maddie Blair 10:30

Nursery 8:30 Sarah & Oscar Speakes 10:30 Alexis Cotto & Tina Thoman

Readings of the Week February 12—18 Monday: Jas 1:1-11; Ps 119:67-68, 71-72, 75-76; Mk 8:11-13 Tuesday: Jas 1:12-18; Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 18-19; Mk 8:14-21 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6ab, 12-14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 -- 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Sunday: Gn 9:8-15; Ps 25:4-9; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15

Please pray for the sick, their loved ones and caregivers: Jennifer R. Barajas, Wray Barr, Sister Barbara Ann Bosch, Tillie Byrne, Joyce Correale, Rita Ferreri, Rose Garcia, Tom Giger, Jean Green, Allison Hartmire, Rita Haukapp, Margaret Heinke, Tom and Mary Herbert, Jessica Holmes, Liz Klingler, Dawn Papproth Kuhn, Abelina Leon, Mary Lugge, Nona Morgan, Pauline Puttmann, Grace Regutti, Paul Riley, Megan Saldanha, Mary Ann Seipp,

Donna Sparks, Betty Tomasovich, Jake Van Hook, Jenny Vogt, Patricia Weiler , Steve Wells Please call the parish office if you have a family member that is homebound or in the hospital.

Please pray for our military families, especially those deployed and separated from loved ones.

**Please Note Evening Date: Wednesday, February 21 at 7 p.m. And Wednesday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m.

St. Clare Church Library

Hope For The Journey is a ministry reaching out to anyone that has experienced the loss of a loved one, recent or not.

We meet for conversation, suggested reading, encouragement, prayer and to walk this journey with you.

HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY

For more information, please contact Ken & Barb Kenney 618-726-7587 or kj_kenney@sbcglobal.net

Your Giving February 3/4

Weekly Envelope $18,376.11 WeShare Online $ 2,870.00

Total Tithe $21,246.11 Church Mortgage $ 5,525.11

A commission is a special type of command. Jesus received the com-mission from the Father to sacrifice and die for the sins of man. Open-ness to God’s call and acceptance are the foundation for every commission God gives to us. As we enter the season of Lent, let us “cleanse” our hearts and answer God’s daily call to Holiness. Here I am Lord! Help me, equip me and let me serve You.

eClare: Get Connected! This Weekend! February 10-11 after Mass Anyone needing help signing up for Formed or getting the Formed App on their smartphone or tablet in preparation for Lent can bring their device to the church and receive help after Mass. Help will also be available for getting connected electronically to St. Clare in other ways.

Empty Bowl Luncheon

Wednesday, February 14 11 am - 2 pm

Gateway Classic Cars

1237 Central Park Dr, O'Fallon

Cost is $10/person for a simple meal which consists of bowl of soup, piece of bread, and water.

Tickets can be purchased at the door, Wolfersberger Funeral Home, Post, Pac & Ship

or Unity Yoga in O'Fallon 100% of ticket proceeds goes to the

O'Fallon/Shiloh Food Pantry

Stations of the Cross Friday Nights Of Lent at 6 PM

Monday Nights of Lent Soup and Speaker Series

“Come To The Feast” Starting Monday, Feb. 19

Mass at 6:00 PM Soup Supper at 6:30

Speaker Series at 7:00

WERE YOU THERE…?

To begin the Holy Season of Lent

Distribution of Ashes: 7:00 a.m. Word Service & Ashes 12:00 Noon Word Service & Ashes 7:00 p.m. Mass & Ashes **Please bring your palms from last year to Church to be burned for Ashes by Monday, February 12

Each year the Lord Jesus calls the entire Church to a spe-cial season of penance and renewal. As we begin this holy time of Lent, we should reflect on our need for conversion of heart, prayer, charitable works and penance. The season of Lent extends this year from Ash Wednes-day, February 14, to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, March 29, inclusive. 1. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain

from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent.

2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is also bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

3. On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is allowed. The other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one’s needs, but altogether they should not equal an-other full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the obligation of the law is modified. Because Lent is a special season for all Chris-tians, we should not lightly excuse ourselves from these penitential practices.

4. To completely disregard the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful.

Women’s Renewal Weekend February 17/18

Please keep our team members in your prayers as they prepare for the renewal weekend.

“Do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you

speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11

And please pray for the par cipants. May they experience God’s uncondi onal love as

never before. As they take a break from their busy lives to pray, laugh, eat and hear stories of faith may they discover what’s missing in their lives

and what to do about it. May they find what they are looking for…and more!

Participants

Emily Alberico Anastacia Bialick Pam Billhartz Meaghan Bovich Kim Burgess Tess Butler Lori Cherry Stacey Cutter Sr. Mary Louise Degenhart Anne Flournoy Alexandria Garza Lindsay Goldberg Shirley Heisserer Amanda Huber Mandi Huelsmann Alicia LaFrance

Becky Lamontagne Angie Leonelli Judy Menzies Laura Michelfelder Ann Millikin Pennie Pavlisin Deb Phillips Jamie Raber Stephanie Ramirez Suzanne Rupright Linda Severin Shirley Suski Shannon Waits Carol Williamson Jennifer Wilson

Gina Beal Joanie Burke Betty Deschesne Jane Dotson Tammy Earley Stephanie Favela Leslie Goldberg Ellen Gravlin Andrea Harris

Theresa Kossler Kellyn Lindsay Alicia Luechtefeld Shawnee Magparangalan Laura Polillo Tanja Ramsby Donna Sparks Toni Stanton Kristy Turner Tiffany Wright

Team Members

Lenten Regulations

Feb 11 Dodgeball Tournament grades 7—12 St. Clare Gym 12:30 Feb 18 No Youth Group (Holiday) Feb 25 Youth Group hosts Confirmation Activity Night 6—8 in Fellowship Hall

St. Clare Parish School of Religion Sundays at St. Clare School 10:30—11:40

Feb 11 PSR Class (4th Grade Soup Kitchen)

Feb 14 Ash Wednesday

Feb 18 NO PSR Presidents Day Weekend

Feb 25 PSR Class (except grade 8) Confirmation Class Activity 6-8 pm

**Kindergarten/5th Grade Soup Kitchen moved to March 18

Confirmation Preparation Schedule

Feb 25 Confirmation Activity Night youth only Games to review) 6—8 pm Fellowship Hall Mar 18 REAP team Retreat for Youth & Sponsors or local mentors 1—5 pm Fellowship Hall

9th Annual St. Clare Youth Dodgeball Tournament

Plus Apples to Apples and other Games! February 11 at 12:30 (Register at 12)

St. Clare School Gym Bring a team of 5 (plus sub) or join one there. Please pre-register janeadotson@yahoo.com

Or 632-3562 Drinks provided; bring a snack to share!

Attention Youth! Grades 7—12

Dodgeball Tourney

& Other games

Blessing Cup Retreat

For First Communion Students and All Parents

And Guardians

Sunday, March 4 1-4 p.m.

St. Clare School Cafeteria

Babysitting for siblings by RSVP two weeks before event. Contact Jane at janeadotson@yahoo.com

First Communion Class of 2017 Parents

Parents asked to help with refreshments for Blessing Cup Retreat on Sunday, March 4

Contact Jane at janeadotson@yahoo.com or 632-3562

Attention High School Juniors and Seniors: Want to change your life? Go on a TEC weekend!

February 17—19 at Mater Dei High School, Breese, IL

TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) is designed for juniors and seniors and is also open to observers (18+)

For more information and to apply, visit www.bellevilletec.org

Energetic and enthusiastic adults needed to chaperone teens on Hoyleton Mission Trip June 24-29. Group leaves late afternoon on Sunday, June 24 and returns late afternoon on Friday, June 29. If you can’t make the entire week, we could use you for a few days. Must be able to relate well to teens, help them grow in their faith, laugh, supervise yard work on minor building updates and be able to sleep on an air mattress or cot in an old church. Child Protection Policy Training and background checks. Contact Jane at janeadotson@yahoo.com or 632-3562.

Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School MEGA RAFFLE

$10,000 Grand Prize - $1,000 2nd Prize $500 3rd Prize

Ticket Cost: $100.00 Buy 1 Ticket – Get 1 Free / Buy 2 Tickets – Get 3 Free /

Buy 3 Tickets – Get 5 Free

Drawing: Saturday, March 10th, 2018 To Purchase Tickets: Call Karen Waide at 618-281-4715 or

Email: cooperwaide@aol.com for more information on prize rules

ALTAR ANGELS FOR FEBRUARY 17 Jan Butler, Arlene Cruz-Peel Kathy DeVan, Linda Riedel, Sharon Ripplinger SENIORS MEETING Monday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for Chili and hot dogs this month!! YOU’RE INVITED SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL OPEN HOUSE SVDP Belleville Council extends a warm invita on to you to join them in celebra ng the comple on of their newly remodeled fa-cility—including the new Outreach Ministry Center, soup kitchen and pantry, thri store and warehouse. Friday, February 16 from 1—3 p.m. Saturday, February 17 from 9:30—Noon (dedica on and blessing at 11 a.m.) 3718 State Street, East St. Louis. HOLY LAND ART SALE Representa ves of ar sans in the Holy Land will be selling hand carved wooden works of religious art in the Fellowship Hall following Masses February 17/18. This sale is a great way to find a piece of art to help you this Lent or to pur-chase an Easter, Bap sm, Confirma on or First Communion gi . INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING AT HSHS? St. Elizabeth Hospital is hos ng an Open House on Thursday, February 22 from 10—1 p.m. Come learn about volunteer oppor nu es at the hospital. Light refreshments served. For ques ons or to RSVP, contact Donna Meyers or Diane Heck at 234-2120 ext. 52132 or 11280.

SAVE THE DATE! SISTER THEA BOWMAN 15TH ANNUAL DINNER GALA Sat., March 10 at Four Points by Sheraton, Fairview Hts. Doors open at 5 p.m. $60 per person; $600 per table spon-sor of eight, includes sponsorship gift. RSVP by Feb. 16 to 618-397-0316 or email roberta trost@yahoo.com.

Calling All Cooks!! Come share your heritage by cooking

food and sharing samples at the

Parish Pentecost Festival Sunday, May 20

Food booths needed to represent your ethnicity or unique region of US.

Get a group of family or friends together to prepare food samples!

Call the parish office for more information!!

The Fair Trade Ministry is par tner ing with Bridge Bread of St Louis to help end homelessness.

Created to provide opportunities for the homeless, Bridge Bread trains their work-ers and helps them establish a positive work history to use as a bridge to more tra-ditional employment.

Also, ¾ of the income from sales is direct-ly paid to the workers in wages and bene-fits. After Masses on February 17 & 18, the Fair Trade Ministry will have bread and bakery items for sale. Contact Steve Hughes at smhughes44@hotmail.com for more information or to volunteer to help with sales.

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Drive St. Clare of Assisi Church (Co-Sponsored by St. Clare School) Wednesday, February 28 from 4—7 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Please join us to help earn the Life Savings Grant. And keep families whole in our community. To schedule an appointment, call the parish office at 632-3562 or

online at www.bloodcenterIMPACT.org. Use Sponsor Code 10841 to schedule on line. Eat and hydrate well before dona ng. MUST present photo ID to donate.

(Last date to donate elsewhere: 1/3/2018)